Candid With Candidates

What does it truly take to lead at the executive level in grocery retail—and how do you build a career that grows alongside the business?

To launch Season 2 of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Kristin Popp, Executive Vice President of Woodman’s Food Market, Inc., for an in-depth conversation on leadership, career development, and long-term impact in an ever-evolving industry.

With nearly 30 years at Woodman’s, Kristin shares her journey from working in accounting and HR while in college to overseeing company-wide operations, corporate functions, and strategic planning for a 20-store, employee-owned retailer serving communities across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. She offers candid insight into what the EVP role really entails, how she prepares her organization for the future, and why effective leadership requires both accountability and trust.

In this episode, Kristin discusses:

• What executive leadership looks like beyond the title
  
  
• How to prepare for long-term success without waiting for “the right time”
  
  
• The value of cross-functional experience in career advancement
  
  
• Transitioning from HR into enterprise-wide leadership
  
  
• Building strategic roadmaps while empowering leaders to own their plans
  
  
• Balancing professional growth, industry involvement, and family life
  
  
• Why grocery retail plays a vital role as the heartbeat of local communities
  
  
• Her candid advice for candidates on making strong first impressions
  
  
  

Kristin also reflects on her role as President of Women Grocers of America (WGA) and how she became involved after recognizing a critical opportunity within the industry: to help women build confidence, embrace their talents, and take their place at the table alongside their male peers. Her passion for developing future leaders is rooted in creating access, visibility, and support for navigating leadership paths in grocery retail and ensuring the next generation feels empowered to lead boldly.

Whether you’re an emerging leader, an experienced professional navigating career growth, or someone looking to better understand executive leadership in grocery retail, this Season 2 premiere offers thoughtful perspective and practical guidance from one of the industry’s most respected leaders.

🎧 Listen now to kick off Season 2 of Candid with Candidates and gain insight into leadership, growth, and building a career with lasting impact.

Guest Links:

Connect with Kristin Popp : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-popp/
Explore Woodman's Food Market, Inc.: http://www.woodmans-food.com/ 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

Leadership looks polished from the outside—but the real lessons come from the unfiltered, in-the-trenches experiences of those who’ve lived it. This episode brings you those lessons directly. Jenn Hahn brings together the most valuable, most practical, and most resonant leadership moments from six distinguished executives across retail, CPG, e-commerce, merchandising, operations, and retail media.

This episode features perspectives from:

• Rebecca Lupfer, Chief Merchant, The Giant Company
• Pat Mooney, VP of HBC & Non-Foods, Wakefern
• Gabe Disbrow, President & CEO, Leevers
• Sheila Ebanks, Head of Retail, North America, Coca-Cola
• Brooke Chambers, E-Commerce Leader, Kroger
• Claire Wyatt, Retail Media Executive, The Trade Desk

Each leader offers candid, experience-backed advice on what leadership requires today—from presence and communication to hiring, accountability, culture, and energy management. These are the lessons rarely shared publicly, but crucial for anyone looking to advance, influence, or elevate their leadership impact.

Whether you are preparing for a leadership role, already managing teams, or refining how you lead at scale, this episode brings together the insights that matter most. Season two is on the horizon—this is the perfect moment to strengthen your leadership foundation.

Guest Links:

Connect with Claire Wyatt

Connect with Sheila Muniz Ebanks

Connect with Rebecca Lupfer 

Connect with Pat Mooney

 Connect with Brooke Chambers

Connect with Gabe Disbrow

Listen to their full episodes:

Gabe Disbrow - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-military-background-to-president-ceo-gabe-disbrow/id1814044313?i=1000710995094 

Pat Mooney - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/energy-management-as-a-key-leadership-principle-with/id1814044313?i=1000728020135 

Sheila Ebanks - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-sheila-ebanks-leads-coca-colas-large-store-division/id1814044313?i=1000732791442 

Rebecca Lupfer - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-chat-with-chief-merchant-rebecca-lupfer-on-taking/id1814044313?i=1000730589885 

Brooke Chambers - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-banking-to-ecomm-boss-roadmapping-real-leadership/id1814044313?i=1000713223752 

and Claire Wyatt - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-retail-media-rapid-growth-building-calm-in-chaos/id1814044313?i=1000735190794 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

Season one delivered more insight, practical advice, and behind-the-scenes truth than we could possibly contain in individual episodes. So in this special mash-up episode, we pulled together the most valuable, most actionable, and most candid moments from four standout leaders across the retail, CPG, supply chain, and marketing sectors.

These are the insights leaders rarely get to say out loud in a formal interview setting—but absolutely wish candidates knew.

This episode features advice from:

• Julian Semer, Director of In-Store Retail Media at Albertsons
  
  
• Parag Shah, Co-Founder of Think Blue and former merchant-side executive at Wakefern and Giant
  
  
• Jackie Doyle, VP of Supply Chain Transformation at fairlife
  
  
• Candace Pappas, SVP of Marketing at Blake’s Beverage Co.
  
  

Across backgrounds and industries, all four leaders share the candid truths that help candidates stand out, grow their careers, and make a meaningful impact once they’re in the role.

What You’ll Learn

• How to stand out by using curiosity to show how you think and what you notice.
• How to accelerate your career by taking action before you're asked.
• How to demonstrate leadership by making complex ideas simple.
• The relationships you build will shape more opportunities than any résumé line.
• How to thrive in high-growth environments by embracing ambiguity and fast-paced change.
• How to prove your value by sharing clear, measurable results.
• How to tell your story by highlighting experiences that reveal adaptability and problem-solving.

Whether you're preparing for your next interview, navigating a career pivot, or developing as a leader, this episode is for you. Season two is right around the corner—stay curious and stay connected.

Guest Links:

 Connect with Julian Semer on LinkedIn

 Explore Albertsons Companies: albertsonscompanies.com/ 

Connect with Parag Shah on LinkedIn
Explore Think Blue: Think Blue

Connect with Jackie Doyle on LinkedIn
Explore fairlife, LLC: https://fairlife.com/ 

Connect with Candace Pappas on LinkedIn

Learn more about Blake's Beverage Company 

Listen to their full episodes:

Julian Semer –https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-julian-semer-went-from-finance-to-shaping-the/id1814044313?i=1000717321902 

Parag Shah – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embracing-tech-in-retail-parag-shah-of-think-blue-on/id1814044313?i=1000723588668 

Jackie Doyle – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-finance-aspirations-to-supply-chain-transformation/id1814044313?i=1000725681703 

Candace Pappas – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-mopping-caf%C3%A9-floors-to-leading-national-brands/id1814044313?i=1000719614453 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it take to lead in one of the fastest-growing, high margin areas of advertising and retail?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Claire Wyatt, GM of Client Services & Retail at The Trade Desk, to discuss her career path from would-be NASA engineer to retail media leadership and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Claire shares how she:

• Transitioned from an equity analyst to retail media in what we call a “slingshot move”
  
  
• Scaled Albertsons’ retail media team from 6 to 50+ while creating stability in an “always sprinting” area of the business
  
  
• Has built an incredibly recognizable personal brand and professional network in an authentic way
  
  
• Found the best job she’s ever had at The Trade Desk - hint, it wasn’t by applying for the job online
  
  
• Uses conferences and community building as powerful tools for industry connection and mentorship
  
  
  

Whether you’re interested in retail media, executive leadership, or navigating bold career transitions, Claire’s insights offer a clear look into how to grow, adapt, and lead in a dynamic industry.

🎧 Listen now to learn how strategic leadership, authentic networking, and brand-building can shape both a business and a career.

Guest Links:

Connect with Claire Wyatt :  https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairewyatt/
Explore The Trade Desk: https://www.thetradedesk.com/ 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Sheila Muniz Ebanks, Head of the Large Store Division for Coca-Cola North America, about her leadership journey from driving truck in the industry to reporting directly to the Chief Customer Officer in all of North America. 

Sheila reflects on the pivotal career transitions that shaped her path—from her early days at Frito-Lay, to leadership roles at Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, and now driving national retail partnerships at The Coca-Cola Company. She outlines how her leadership philosophy has evolved from tactical, to strategic, to inspirational, and why creating a strong culture is the foundation for lasting performance.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Sheila believes her role is all about stretching her team to do more than they believe they’re capable of. 
• How Sheila’s leadership encourages the team to approach partnerships with major retailers as more than sales relationships
• The importance of owning your career and building a challenge network to accelerate growth
• Why culture, people, and performance (in that order) drives sustainable leadership impact
• How calculated risk, resilience, and curiosity have guided her career decisions
• How she manages to show up for her family at home AND in her career through infrastructure on both sides
• Practical advice for candidates on telling their professional story and standing out in interviews
  
  
  

With over 15 years of leadership experience across the CPG industry, Sheila offers clear and actionable insights for anyone aspiring to grow their career, lead with purpose, and inspire teams at scale.

👉 Listen now to learn how to own your career, lead with intention, and create meaningful partnerships in today’s retail environment.

Guest Links:

Connect with Sheila Muniz Ebanks : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-muniz-ebanks-mba-ma-41523a63/
Explore  Coca-Cola Company: https://www.coca-colacompany.com/ 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it take to lead one of the most critical functions in grocery retail—especially when your path didn’t begin in the aisle?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Rebecca Lupfer, Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant at The GIANT Company, to unpack her uniquely well-rounded career journey—from internal audit and strategy to merchandising, operations, CFO and now Chief Merchant.

Rebecca shares how she developed her leadership approach across functions, the pivotal moment she stepped away from the familiar, and why effective merchandising today demands both strategic vision and operational discipline.

With nearly two decades at Ahold Delhaize and a portfolio that spans 194 stores and 35,000 employees, Rebecca offers actionable insight into:

• What the Chief Merchant role truly entails—and why it can be misunderstood
• How to lead leaders, not just teams, by setting clear strategic altitude
• Balancing short-term execution with long-term strategy by flying at different levels
• The importance of cross-functional experience in executive growth
• How to manage complex roles while raising a family and serving on multiple boards
• The mindset shift required when stepping into new territory

Whether you're an emerging leader, retail professional, or someone navigating cross-functional growth, this episode offers thoughtful insight into executive leadership, career mobility, and the evolving demands of modern merchandising.

🎧 Listen now to explore how strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the right team can shape not just a company—but a career.

Guest Links:

Connect with Rebecca Lupfer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccalupfer/
Explore The GIANT Company: https://giantfoodstores.com/ 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Pat Mooney, Vice President of Health & Beauty Care and Non-Foods at Wakefern Food Corp.—the $21B retailer many consumers haven’t heard of, but whose unique business model has shaped regional retail in the Northeast for decades.

Pat shares insights from his 16-year career journey, starting from a rotational “leader in training” role to leading complex merchandising, logistics, and replenishment strategies. He explains how Wakefern’s cooperative structure empowers small businesses with the scale and resources of a large enterprise, while keeping local ownership and customer intimacy at the forefront.

In this episode:

• Wakefern’s member-owned cooperative model and how it drives operational excellence and community engagement
• Career development in the retail industry: how to recognize the right opportunities, build trust, and grow quickly
• The difference between time management and energy management, and how focusing on what you control can accelerate professional growth
• The evolving landscape of the retail industry and how to continue to evolve to stay competitive
• What Pat looks for in future leaders—and how candidates can stand out in today’s competitive environment
  
  
  

With a balance of strategic thinking, practical advice, and leadership wisdom, Pat Mooney offers a compelling view into what it takes to succeed in modern retail—while staying grounded in purpose, community, and accountability.

👉 Listen now and learn how to grow your impact, lead with intention, and navigate the future of retail.

Guest Links:

Connect with Pat Mooney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-mooney/
Explore Wakefern Food Corp.: https://www2.wakefern.com/ 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

When your company is growing fast—and your supply chain needs to grow faster—how do you build the structure, strategy, and team to keep up?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Jackie Doyle, Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Transformation at fairlife, about what it really means to future-proof operations while scaling a business at speed.

Jackie shares her journey from a 15-year career in industrial manufacturing to leading strategic transformation in the CPG space. She opens up about building a new team from scratch, accelerating her own career from Director to VP in just two years, and why building relationships across the business and delivering results quickly got her here. 

What You’ll Learn:

• How to build a scalable supply chain strategy that supports long-term growth
• Why early impact and strong cross-functional relationships are key to advancement
• Navigating fast-paced, high-growth environments with lean teams
• The importance of mentors, sponsors, and relationship-building—especially in male-dominated industries
• Exactly how to ask for mentorship and find those sponsors that will help grow your career
• Why company culture may be even more important than the job description
• What Jackie looks for in candidates—beyond just technical skills

Whether you're a supply chain leader, a transformation executive, or an aspiring operations professional, this episode offers valuable takeaways for building impactful careers and teams in today’s evolving CPG landscape.

🎧 Tune in now—and don’t forget to follow, review, and share with peers who are driving transformation.

Guest Links:

Jackie Doyle in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-doyle-84a43141/
Explore fairlife, LLC: https://fairlife.com/ 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it take to transform legacy retail systems into future-ready strategies—without losing sight of what matters most?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Parag Shah, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Think Blue, to explore his journey from grocery store aisles to executive boardrooms—and now to reimagining how the industry uses data, technology, and good old-fashioned merchant instinct to drive smarter growth.

Parag shares how his 25-year corporate career—from buyer to VP at Wakefern and then head of merchandising and digital at The Giant Company—shaped his belief that innovation doesn’t start with a tool or system. It starts with people who are willing to experiment, evolve, and execute with courage.

Now leading Think Blue, Parag partners with CPGs and retailers to reimagine the merchant function, transform space planning, and move beyond outdated joint business planning to unlock shared value between brands and retailers.

What You'll Learn:

• Why the merchant mindset still matters in the age of AI
• How Parag and his team led a transformation, guiding 48 board meetings over a 24-month period—with patience and persistence
• The power of inspiration and experimentation when introducing new technologies
• What retailers and CPGs need to rethink about joint business planning
• How to avoid shiny object syndrome in tech adoption
• What every professional—regardless of role—can do to stay relevant in the age of AI
  
  

With real-world stories, practical advice, and a few lessons from 48 board meetings, this episode is a must-listen for anyone leading through transformation—or hoping to. Listen now!

Guest Links:

Connect with Parag Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omnigrowthparag/
Explore Think Blue: Think Blue

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

Do you feel like you’re excelling in your role but can’t really figure out how to crack the code to get to that next level?

 In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Andrea Wasserman, Executive Coach and Founder of The Executive Express, whose career spans leadership roles at Nordstrom, Yahoo, Verizon, and more in VP and C suite roles. Andrea brings firsthand insight from both sides of the hiring table—having led high-performing teams and now coaching rising leaders to get that next big promotion.

Together, they unpack the strategies, mindsets, and subtle shifts that separate steady contributors from standout executives. From building executive presence and leading through influence to communicating strategically and advocating for your growth, Andrea shares practical, no-nonsense advice for anyone ready to take the next step in their corporate career.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why being strategic is less about adding work and more about changing how you communicate it
• How to map out key relationships across your company—and build influence without direct authority
• What style flexing is (and why you should treat coffee with finance differently than coffee with IT)
• How to prep for one-on-ones that don’t waste your time—or your boss’s
• A smarter approach to promotion and compensation conversations
• The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and how to build both
• Add a bullet point about navigating and getting the most out of corporate politics
  
  
  

Whether you're working toward your first leadership role or refining your executive edge to position yourself for a promotion, this episode offers clarity, confidence, and actionable next steps.

Guest Links:

Connect with Andrea Wasserman on LinkedIn

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn